Cow water beds come to Vogel

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- What's good for the goose is good for the gander. What's good for us is good for the moo-moos.

Think you've seen everything?

Uh, uh. Cows and dairymen agree -- cow water beds -- what a concept.

They're new to the 21st annual New Ulm Farm-City Hub Club Farm Show free and open to the public this weekend at Vogel Arena.

If you really care about superior cow comfort, no bacteria growth, ergonomic design, and traction, check out the latest thing for your favorite cows.

If you visit the Patz exhibit at the show, you'll learn that cow water beds were invented by an English dairyman who installed 350 of them nine years ago. Two years later, they were popular in Europe. They reached America two years ago.

Cow water beds are a bit simpler than the human variety. They are made of half-inch rubber and hold 16 gallons of water.

Relative Products, LLC. Managing Director Dean Throndsen of Reedsburg, Wis. said traditional bedding surfaces for cows are abrasive to their skin. He talked about why water beds were better for cows.

"When 1,500-pound cows are on water beds, their knees and hocks are raised. Instead of rubbing their skin raw all day on something solid, their skin flows with the surface and they lay longer. It gives producers better herd health and better milk with less mastitis and somatic cells," Throndsen said.

The water beds are expected to last 15 to 20 years. Very little bedding is used, offsetting their cost.

Patz salesman Myron Isaacson of Lafayette said three farmers including a smaller producer like the cow water beds. Some farmers buy water beds, others rubber-filled cow mattresses. Some farmers have half of each.

Manure separators are also new at the show. Solids become a compost pile. Liquids can be treated, aerated, and spread on the ground.

Isaacson said three area barns already have the manure separators. Phosphorus can be reduced by up to 50 percent and odors are minimized.

Also new at the show this year is an alpaca raiser. The animals produce a cashmere-like fleece once reserved for Incan royalty, now enjoyed by spinners and weavers around the globe.

The Ag Show continues 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Drawings for $25 produce certificates at Cashwise Foods and Liquor of New Ulm are held very hour of the show.

For more information, visit manuresolutions.com and waterbedsforcows.com